We’re a group of entrepreneurs in the Seattle area who give and seek advice on running technology startups. We meet about once or twice a month.

This is targeted at founders of, employees of, or those folks interested in joining local technology companies. Be ready to talk shop, get into technical arcana, and discuss the nitty-gritties of running/working at/launching a tech startup.

Subscribe to the email list for announcements and discussion, and to make job postings. (Moderated; list membership hidden)

To usher in the New Year we thought it would be great to discuss trends and opportunities for tech entrepreneurs in 2010. We’re excited to share that we’ve lined up three great speakers to share their views on this topic: Chris DeVore (Founders’ Co-op), Michael Schutzler (BlueSeven Partners), and Bill Bryant (Draper Fisher Jurvetson). All of them are investors, advisors and board members to startups, and bring unique perspectives to the table.

If you’re looking to take the leap and start a company this year, seeking new markets for your startup, or looking for ideas to explore, you’ll want to join us for this one.

Chris will likely focus on what Founders’ Co-op is thinking about opportunities + investment approaches, so expect a mix of investment thesis (e.g., niche opportunities, bootstrap mentality, direct-pay business models, cash-flow orientation, scrappiness) and themes (e.g., mobile web, replacing enterprise software / labor-based processes with SaaS, lead generation).

Chris DeVore is an experienced investor, entrepreneur and executive. Prior to Founders Co-op, Chris co-founded Judy’s Book and served as the company’s COO and member of the board of directors. Previously Chris was a Vice President at Sapient Corporation (NASDAQ: SAPE), where he built and led the company’s strategy consulting practice and was also a core member of the M&A and corporate venturing teams. Chris arrived at Sapient via the acquisition of Adjacency, an e-Commerce consultancy he and his partners bootstrapped to profitability. Chris received his BA in American Studies from Yale in 1990 and attended the MBA program at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business.

Michael will share insights into what his companies are hearing from VCs in Seattle & the valley; assess evidence regarding recent media claims of “things turning positive” in the investment community; delve into segments that are full of opportunity, and those that might be more challenging now.

Michael Schutzler is a highly respected business coach and advisor to CEOs, executives, and board members around the world. Prior to becoming a full time CEO Sherpa in 2007, he spent nearly 25 years leading and building organizations in the telecommunications, enterprise software, printing, and digital media industries. He’s been an active angel investor in the Seattle area for over 10 years. Michael holds a degree in Electrical Engineering and an MBA.

Because of its visibility in the media, entrepreneurs all too often think that raising venture capital is the only solution to their (ever decreasing !) capital needs. Venture capital has been difficult to come by for the past 2+ years, and will be no easier to secure in 2010. Fortunately, there are other ways of getting your startup off the ground. At the same time, a select handful of Seattle startup projects (5? 10? 15?) will raise venture capital from funds like DFJ. What makes these projects so “special”? What does it really take to raise venture? How do I, as an entrepreneur, know if my project stands a good chance – or not – of raising early stage venture? What is it that venture investors are looking for in 2010?

Bill Bryant is a serial entrepreneur, investor and advisor who has been involved with over 25 successful Seattle area startups that span software, internet, digital media and mobile sectors. He has been a co-founder of a half dozen companies (including Qpass, Medio and Netbot) and a founding seed investor in another half dozen (Isilon Systems, Loudeye, Singing Fish, GBI, Teamplate). Current involvements including Opscode, Mpire, Winshuttle, Swype, Liquid Planner, Socrata and Limeade. He has helped raise over $175M for the various startups that he has been part of. Bill is currently a venture partner with the Silicon Valley venture fund, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, and was previously a partner with Atlas Ventures.

Logistics:

• When: 7-9pm
• Where: The Douglas Forum at the Executive Education Center, University of Washington (see below).
• Cost: Free; no registration

Future Meeting Dates:

• February 10, 2010 (Wednesday): Topic TBD
• March 10, 2010 (Wednesday): Topic TBD

Interested in speaking at an upcoming event?

• Please email chuck.groom [gmail.com] and goberoi [gmail.com] with: the topic of your talk, 2-3 sentences describing the talk, and 2-3 sentences of your biography.
• Please see the speaking guidelines

FAQ

• Who comes? Usually 40-70 people show up; see the list of who comes.
• How often? Meetings are once a month
• How long? 2 hours, followed by conversation over beers at a nearby pub.
• Who may come? Open to founders and employees of technology startups, or anyone interested in becoming involved with tech startups.
• What is the agenda? The first hour includes one or two pre-arranged presentations, followed by an hour of less structured conversation. (Brainstormed list of discussion topics)

STS meetings happen at the Douglas Forum at the Executive Education Center, University of Washington.

From NE 45th St. headed east, turn right onto Memorial Way. Take your first left on Stephens Way. The Executive Education Center is on your right hand side as you proceed. After a block the road starts to curve... and that’s where you’ll find the Executive Education Center.

From within the Center, head to the fourth floor, and enter the Douglas Forum Conference Room.

• Directions From The east
• Directions from downtown/south
• From the north
• See campus map below. Look for the red circle.

Parking

• Being eco-minded types, we recommend public transit if at all possible. UW is a good bus hub.
• On campus parking is $5.00. This is probably easiest and cheapest. Best lots to park at are N1, N4, and N5.
• Street lots are available off of 15th Ave NE, but costs vary unknown.
• You can find street parking in the evenings for free, but it can be limited. Your best bet is to park near NE 45th St. and 15th Ave NE.

More recent meeting have been recorded, and posted online. See videos of STS meetings

• Nov, 2009
• Oct, 2009
• Sept, 2009
• Aug, 2009
• July, 2009
• June, 2009
• May, 2009
• April, 2009
• Mar, 2009
• Feb, 2009
• Jan, 2009
• Dec, 2008
• Nov, 2008
• Oct, 2008
• Sept, 2008
• August, 2008
• July, 2008
• June, 2008
• May, 2008
• Apr, 2008
• Mar, 2008
• Jan, 2008
• Oct, 2007
• Nov 7, 2006
• Oct 3, 2006
• Sept 7, 2006
• Aug 1, 2006
• July 11, 2006
• June 22, 2006

We want people to continue discussing and sharing information outside the meeting times! Please read over and contribute to the public forums.

Click here for a list of other similar organizations and events.

This site is structured as a wiki so everyone can contribute. It’s all publically editable, except for this first page.

Chuck Groom and Gaurav Oberoi, founders of Precision Polling